To Kill a Mockingbird: A Study of Good v. Evil Many great works of literature have emerged from the United States, but one of the best is To Kill a Mockingbird. This classic story consistently is the number one choice when people are asked to state their favorite novel. The immense popularity of this classic is due to many factors: a thrilling storyline, wonderful characters, and a great sense of humor. However, the timeless theme of good versus evil contained within To Kill a Mockingbird establishes it as a significant American novel. The reality that good and evil co-exist in the world is shown most clearly through the innocent eyes of Jem and Scout. At first, they were very innocent, believing everyone to have good intentions. As the story progressed and the children grew, however, Jem definitely became more doubtful of the human character. The trial of Tom Robinson affected him deeply, for his views were changed forever when the jury convicted Tom of rape. Jem was forced to reevaluate his previous opinions of human nature. He said to Miss Maudie, “It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is….Like something asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world” (288). Certainly Jem learned that there were good and evil natures in people, and realizing the bad side of human nature was a painful realization. Lee shows this beautifully as Jem tries to find some peace after Tom Robinson’s guilty verdict. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus has the best understanding of this good and evil. Atticus believes there is good in all human beings, but at the same time, he acknowledges and tries to understand their bad qualities as well. This is shown best when he deals with Mrs. Dubose. Although he doesn’t agree with her racist views, he appreciates and respects her bravery though her many difficult life experiences. He explains this to Jem and Scout when he tells them, “I have no doubt that you’ve been annoyed by your contemporaries about me lawing for niggers…they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions” (144). Thus, Atticus shows his understanding of how evil can exist in people, but that we should not judge the person too harshly, for that is not the whole of a person. It is an important lesson for his children to learn. Finally, good and evil comes to a standoff at the end of the book. Bob Ewell represents evil when he hides in the woods and tries to kill Jem and Scout on their way home from a Halloween program. Boo Radley appears and saves them, characterizing good. Eventually, good prevails, and the children emerge somewhat injured, but still alive and well. Harper Lee paints a complicated portrait of good and evil in this world, for both surround one each day. And when Boo kills Bob Ewell and saves the children, she leaves the reader with hope that the goodness of the world will triumph. Harper Lee shows the good and evil of the every day world clearly in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Through Jem’s struggle with the trial’s verdict, Atticus’s struggle with the town, and Scout’s struggle with Boo Radley, Lee paints many pictures of where the goodness and sadness dwell in society. This is an important American novel because of this timeless theme, and with its triumph of good in the end, it endears itself to readers who wish to believe just that.
Reference: Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 1960. Print.
Many great works of literature have emerged from the United States, but one of the best is To Kill a Mockingbird. This classic story consistently is the number one choice when people are asked to state their favorite novel. The immense popularity of this classic is due to many factors: a thrilling storyline, wonderful characters, and a great sense of humor. However, the timeless theme of good versus evil contained within To Kill a Mockingbird establishes it as a significant American novel.
The reality that good and evil co-exist in the world is shown most clearly through the innocent eyes of Jem and Scout. At first, they were very innocent, believing everyone to have good intentions. As the story progressed and the children grew, however, Jem definitely became more doubtful of the human character. The trial of Tom Robinson affected him deeply, for his views were changed forever when the jury convicted Tom of rape. Jem was forced to reevaluate his previous opinions of human nature. He said to Miss Maudie, “It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is….Like something asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world” (288). Certainly Jem learned that there were good and evil natures in people, and realizing the bad side of human nature was a painful realization. Lee shows this beautifully as Jem tries to find some peace after Tom Robinson’s guilty verdict.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus has the best understanding of this good and evil. Atticus believes there is good in all human beings, but at the same time, he acknowledges and tries to understand their bad qualities as well. This is shown best when he deals with Mrs. Dubose. Although he doesn’t agree with her racist views, he appreciates and respects her bravery though her many difficult life experiences. He explains this to Jem and Scout when he tells them, “I have no doubt that you’ve been annoyed by your contemporaries about me lawing for niggers…they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions” (144). Thus, Atticus shows his understanding of how evil can exist in people, but that we should not judge the person too harshly, for that is not the whole of a person. It is an important lesson for his children to learn.
Finally, good and evil comes to a standoff at the end of the book. Bob Ewell represents evil when he hides in the woods and tries to kill Jem and Scout on their way home from a Halloween program. Boo Radley appears and saves them, characterizing good. Eventually, good prevails, and the children emerge somewhat injured, but still alive and well. Harper Lee paints a complicated portrait of good and evil in this world, for both surround one each day. And when Boo kills Bob Ewell and saves the children, she leaves the reader with hope that the goodness of the world will triumph.
Harper Lee shows the good and evil of the every day world clearly in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Through Jem’s struggle with the trial’s verdict, Atticus’s struggle with the town, and Scout’s struggle with Boo Radley, Lee paints many pictures of where the goodness and sadness dwell in society. This is an important American novel because of this timeless theme, and with its triumph of good in the end, it endears itself to readers who wish to believe just that.
Reference:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 1960. Print.